The flamboyant singer, who has teamed up with Beverlei Brown to perform They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To, says he is hoping to complete a life-long ambition.

"I think it's every boy's dream to represent their country at the highest level. I think it's the biggest, most glamorous and possibly the most important music event there is," he adds, vowing he will not give up if he is unsuccessful this time around.

Serious approach

"Every year I'm going to go in for Eurovision, it's going to be like Cliff Richard and his Christmas songs," he jokes.

Big Brovaz are taking a more serious approach to the whole event - and hope they will set a precedent for R&B acts to follow in their footsteps.

Justin Hawkins used to sing in the band the Darkness

"I must make that very clear, we came here to win," says singer J-Rock.

"This is an opportunity for us to showcase UK hip-hop and R&B on a world scale," adds bandmate Randy.
"We're the first urban group to ever be asked to do this competition, so we consider that a privilege as well."

Freak accident

But for Brian Harvey, his biggest achievement was to walk to the contest's launch. Following a freak accident in May 2005, doctors told him it was likely he would lose the use of his legs.

It's the best song I've ever recorded ever - or could ever hope to record

Brian Harvey

"Words can't really describe what goes through your head when someone tells you you're never going to walk again," he recalls.

He admits that before the accident he was on a "downward spiral" - as well as the accident, he has spent time in prison and was attacked with a machete in 2001. But he hopes the contest marks "a fresh beginning".

"This means a hell of a lot," he says. "I cannot stress enough that I'm not supposed to be walking, let alone be here."

His song, I Can, was recorded a few years ago, but he never got around to releasing it.

Brian Harvey was told by doctors he might never walk again

"It's the best song I've ever recorded ever - or could ever hope to record. It really is that good - I feel that confident about the record," he says.

Liz McClarnon - who says her track (Don't It Make You) Happy is "upbeat" with "lots of brass" - is too busy focusing on her nerves to think about anything else.